During the metabolic process, a food's basic compounds are released for absorption or elimination by your body. Foods classified as alkaline-forming, including grapefruits and most fruits and vegetables, mainly contribute alkalizing compounds such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium and iron. When acid-forming foods are broken down, they leave behind acidic residues including phosphorus, sulfur and chlorine. Most grains, nuts and legumes are slightly acid-forming, while animal products and processed foods are generally very acid-forming. Every food you consume has a minute and temporary effect on your body’s pH, but your regular dietary choices can have a much bigger effect on your body’s homeostasis.
Acid Content
A food’s acid content is reflected in its pH value. Pure water is neutral and has a pH value of 7, while more basic foods, such as eggs, are valued above 7. Acidic foods have pH values below 7, and those valued below 4.6 are considered high-acid foods. Depending on its state of ripeness, fresh grapefruit has a pH range of 3 to 3.3, classifying it as a high-acid food. Comparatively, apples are about as acidic, lemons and limes are more acidic and tangerines are slightly less acidic than grapefruit. Acid content doesn’t determine a food’s pH nature in your body, however. Grapefruit, like all citrus fruits and most other fruits, is alkaline-forming once it’s metabolized.
Alkalizing Nature
Many fruits and vegetables are rich in potassium citrate, a mineral compound which converts to potassium bicarbonate when metabolized. According to the “Acid Alkaline Food Guide,” potassium bicarbonate is an excellent source of accessible bicarbonate, a highly alkalizing substance. Limes and tangerines are the top most alkaline-forming citrus fruits, but grapefruit, lemons, oranges, tangelos and pomelos are also very alkaline-forming. For an alkalizing beverage, “The pH Balance Diet” recommends adding two or three tablespoons of the freshly squeezed juice of a grapefruit, lemon or lime to a glass of mineral water. Citrus juice-enhanced mineral water can help balance out the effects of acid-forming foods consumed in the same meal.
Overall Diet
Cells and tissues can’t function properly without a slightly alkaline environment. A diet that’s rich in alkaline-forming foods such as grapefruit supports your body’s natural homeostasis and helps maintain your alkaline reserves, which are critical to the buffering and removal of acidic waste. According to the “Acid Alkaline Food Guide,” consuming a diet of at least 65 percent alkaline-forming foods promotes the proper acid-alkaline balance within your body. Grapefruit and other alkaline-forming fruits, vegetables and herbs are most alkalizing when fully ripe, organically grown and uncooked, according to the book “Alkalize or Die.” Because refined sugar and artificial sweeteners are very acid-forming, sweetening grapefruit with either greatly reduces its alkalizing potential.
Other Benefits
The book “The pH Balance Diet” lists grapefruit among avocados, cantaloupe melons, green beans, tomatoes, limes and lemons as one of the top most beneficial alkaline-forming foods because it’s low in calories, packed with nutrients and provides numerous other health benefits. Grapefruit is a good source of potassium, soluble fiber, vitamin C, flavonoids and lycopene. Grapefruit pectin, like other fruit pectin, has been shown to significantly lower total blood cholesterol levels. According to the “Encyclopedia of Healing Foods,” an average-sized grapefruit provides roughly 7.5 grams of fruit pectin. Studies show that consuming 15 grams of grapefruit pectin per day, or two grapefruit, produces a 10 percent reduction in total blood cholesterol levels.
References
- “Encyclopedia of Healing Foods”; Michael Murray, N.D., et al.; 2005
- “The pH Balance Diet”; Bharti Vyas, et al.; 2007
- “Acid Alkaline Food Guide”; Dr. Susan E. Brown, et al.; 2006
- “Alkalize or Die”; Dr. Theodore A. Baroody; 1991
- Oklahoma State University: The Importance of Food pH in Commercial Canning Operations; William McGlynn
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